CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Social Services (BSS), has launched the WV Kinship Hub, a new online resource designed to help kinship and foster families understand their needs, identify next steps and connect with resources. Families caring for children can face a wide range of needs, particularly when grandparents, relatives or foster parents step into a caregiving role.
The Kinship Hub uses simple, expert-designed screening tools to help families explore their needs across areas such as caregiver well-being, child well-being, family and parenting, health, education, financial needs and social support. Based on their responses, users receive practical next steps and information about resources available in their communities.
“Families caring for children deserve to know that support is available when they need it. The Kinship Hub gives families a simple, private place to start, helping them better understand their needs and connect with resources without having to navigate a complicated system on their own,” said Carl Ayers, Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services. “We want West Virginia families to have the information and support they need to ensure their children thrive.”
Privacy was an important consideration in developing the Kinship Hub. Users do not have to provide identifying information, and the Hub does not track individual activity or collect personal information that can identify them. Responses are not stored in a way that can be linked back to an individual. Families can use the Hub on their own time and choose the areas where they would like additional information or support.
Available tools include:
- Caregiver Well-Being — Resources to help caregivers identify and address areas that may affect their own health and well-being.
- Child Well-Being — Information and resources focused on a child’s health, development and overall well-being.
- Family & Parenting — Tools and resources to help families navigate parenting and strengthen family relationships.
The Kinship Hub is part of DoHS’ ongoing efforts to make services and resources easier for West Virginia families to understand and access.
For kinship and foster families, knowing where to begin can be one of the biggest challenges. The Kinship Hub provides a starting point, helping families identify areas where they may need support and discover available options.
The WV Kinship Hub is available at kinshiphub.bss.wv.gov.
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